1993 League of Ireland Championship Play-offs
The 1993 League of Ireland Championship Play-offs took place following a three-way tie at the top of the Premier Division following the end of the regular season. Bohemians, Cork City, and reigning champions Shelbourne all finished with 40 points after 32 matches.
Last Day of Regular Season
On the last day of the regular season, Bohemians only needed to draw away to Dundalk to secure the championship as they had a two-point advantage over both Shelbourne and Cork City. However Bohemians team bus broke down before they had even left Dublin and they eventually arrived late for their match in Dundalk.
Shelbourne's home match with Derry City and Cork's home match with Limerick started at the scheduled time despite Bohemians match being delayed. Cork won their match comfortably 3-0, but Shels only won 1-0 with a goal in the last minute by Paul Doolin.
All eyes (and ears) where then averted to Dundalk as Bohemians hoped to take their first title since 1978. However their hopes were dashed as a Tom McNulty goal meant that Bohs were to finish level with Shels and Cork sending the league into an unprecedented three-way play-off.
Bohemians actually finished the season with the best goal difference, but the then league rules stated that the league could not be won on goal difference. This rule was changed the following season to prevent such a marathon play-off occurring again.
First Series of Play-offs
Following consultation between the League of Ireland and the three clubs, it was decided that the play-offs would be decided by a series of home and away matches between the clubs.
| Team | Pts | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shelbourne | 4 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| Bohemians | 4 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Cork City | 4 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
As all three teams finished level on 4 points, another series of play-offs was needed.
Second Series of Play-offs
It was decided that the second series of play-offs would involve the three teams playing each other once at neutral venues. During the break between the first and second series of play-offs, Shelbourne won the FAI Cup and so were already guaranteed European football for the 1993/94 season and were therefore on course for the double.
| Team | Pts | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cork City | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 |
| Bohemians | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Shelbourne | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
Cork City win League of Ireland championship and enter the 1993–94 European Cup. Bohemians enter the 1993–94 UEFA Cup.